Two of John Pizzarelli’s greatest influences, Frank Sinatra and the bossa nova composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, joined forces in 1967 to present a softer, sultrier side of Sinatra on the heels of ‘That’s Life’ and ‘Strangers in the Night’. Half a century later, John Pizzarelli is celebrating that unique gathering with his Concord Jazz release Sinatra & Jobim @ 50.

Frank Sinatra’s 1967 combination with the bossa nova composer Antônio Carlos Jobim on the Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim album was widely hailed as a career highlight for both artists. Pizzarelli’s new project pays tribute to that release, adding two original songs, an ode to Jobim by Michael Frank and versions of tracks recorded by Frank and Antonio at a 1969 session.

Pizzarelli considers Sinatra and Jobim to be two of his greatest influences, and the new album will be further enhanced by the presence as his vocal partner of Jobim’s grandson, Daniel Jobim.